News / CITB cancels CSCS cards

15 February 2016

The CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) is to revoke 4,615 CSCS cards following an investigation into fraudulent activity uncovered workers had paid to pass the test.

This follows an inquiry by the CITB which found evidence of test fixing in 5 test centres and a BBC London/Newsnight investigation which revealed that workers were paying cash to card training scheme supervisors to help them pass.

Following these findings, the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) wrote to all those affected and told them that they needed to register to retake their health, safety and environment test or their card would be revoked. Of those contacted 5,480 failed to register for the retake resulting in 4,615 of them having their cards revoked, while the remaining 553 had until yesterday to retake their test or face similar action.

The health, safety and environment test is a basic requirement for people working on construction sites and is designed to demonstrate that workers have the necessary training and qualifications to do their job.

Commenting on the matter, Julia Evans, chief executive of BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) said: “This scheme has to be trusted. BSRIA’s members demand best practice for the industry where its workforce must be safe. This exposure is clearly unacceptable. Industry health and safety and compliance must be adhered to all times. We do feel for those whose livelihoods will be disrupted, but the bottom line is that workers must be safe."

Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS has said that employers should check the validity of all cards by either electronically reading the CSCS SmartCard or by using “Card Checker” via the CITB website, to make sure that those with invalid cards are not allowed on site..